The Bronze Age of Southeast Asia

Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. xvi, 381 pages, illustrations, maps; 25 cm. Cambridge World Archaeology Series. Tight, clean copy. "Some claim the earliest bronze production in the world occurred in South-east Asia; others say it occurred elsewhere. This book presents the debate surrounding the Bronze Age in the Indochina region, providing a systematic and regional presentaton of the current state of knowledge. It illuminates the question of indigenous technological evolution, contrasted with influence from neighbouring civilisations - in this case Southern China. Higham suggests that the the adoption of metallurgy, copper and tin smelting took place in South-east Asia following a period of trading with China, which provided the exotic bronzes. Using a thematic approach, he provides an up-to-date account of the South-east Asian and Chinese Bronze Age, documenting evidence site by site. This is the first time these regions have integrated in research to provide an understanding of how and why their distinct cultures developed.Tracing developments right through to the Iron Age, Higham identifies the distinct regional developments that anticipate the transition into the first Southeast Asia states." - Publisher. CONTENTS: 1. Introduction; 2. The discovery of the Bronze Age; 3. The neolithic of South-east Asia and China; 4. Central Thailand; 5. The Mekong Valley; 6. The Red and Zijang River valleys and coastal Vietnam; 7. The Yunnan Plateau; 8. External relationships of the South-east Asian Bronze Age: China, India and Island South-east Asia; 9. Discussion and conclusions.. Paperback. Fine. 8vo.